The 'Navara Rice' is an indigenous medicinal Rice variety of Kerala.There are two varieties of Navara-the black colour glumed and golden yellow color glumed. But the rice is purple in color in both cases. Navara is used effectively in certain ayurvedic treatments in Kerala like in Panchakarma treatment from very olden times. It is also used as a health food especially in rainy seasons. The rice is known as 'Shashtika Rice' for its unique and peculiar characteristic requirement of only sixty days to grow and mature. Navara Rice is valued for its curative properties in circulatory, digestive and rheumatic complaints.

Specification : Two varieties are there, one black colour glumed and the other golden yellow color glumed. But the processed rice is purple in color in both the cases. Navara is grown in nine districts of Kerala-Palakkad, Malappuram, Calicut, Wayanad, Kannur, Trichur, Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alleppey.

Proof of origin (Historical Records)

Referance of Navara as 'Sashtika rice' are found in ancient ayurvedic scriptures like 'Susrutha Samhitha', date back approximately to 400-200 B.C. and in 'Ashtanga Hrudaya' date back approximately to 600 A.D. Copies of extract from these are furnished. 'Navara kizhi' and 'Navaratheppu' are two main components of Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala. The 'Navara' in the above mentioned two methods itself denote the importance of Navara. Navara is one of the native genetic resources or Kerala. Its cultivation and use is confined to Kerala and is considered as an endemic crop. Navara is often referred as a 'pious grain' used on auspicious occassions.

Method of production

The Navara rice plant prefers warm humid conditions. As Navara is medicinal rice the cultivation has to be organic otherwise the use of chemicals might adversely affect the medicinal properties of the rice and the health of the patients and consumers. Seeds are soaked in water for 12 hours and then taken out and kept in gunny bags tightly tied, covered with hay and kept for 3-4 days till sprouts emerge. In the meantime moisture in the gunny is maintained by sprinkling water 2-3 times a day over the hay cover. This seed is sown directly in puddled plots. Another method of sprouting seeds is by dipping the seed for two minutes in hot water with some ash and then transferring this seed to a bamboo container, covering with gooseberry leaves/tamarind leaves and teak leaves over that and keeping, some weight on it. Moisture is maintained by wetting the sides of the container and in 3-4 days time sprouts come and after that the seed is sown.

Before sowing green leaves, cow dung is incorporated in the field as manure. Navara rice requires comparatively less water for growth. Once the plants stabilize, pests might attack during flowering stages etc. Pest repellents like tulsi, marigold etc. are planted on the bunds of the plots. If the pests multiply drastically, then manual controlling methods like catching them using bamboo containers or nets has to be adopted. After grain formation rats might be a major threat. Here also, experienced laborers in catching rats by digging open the burrows could be employed. The crop matures in very short duration. Paddy is harvested manually. Seed of Navara has short life cycle. After 5-6 months of storage the viability of the seed reduces considerably. For better results scriptures prescribe Navara to be kept at least for a year before conversion to rice. Raw rice of Navara is used.

Uniqueness

The Navara Rice is the indigenous medicinal plant of Kerala. It has unique medicinal characteristics and hence widely used in Ayurvedic treatments. Navara rice is easily digestrible and hence a light food and has got a unique taste. The short span of about sixty days to mature is unique to Navara rice. The yield of Navara is very poor due to its short duration and susceptibility of the plant to the weather changes. The plant lodges in wind and even in dew during winter season.